Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Update Video

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is the current project of Koji "IGA" Igarashi, Assistant Director of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and longtime producer of the Series. As such, this upcoming game is one to watch for any Metroidvania fans.

The latest Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night update focuses on weapons and animations, with the accompanying video demonstrating the basic attacks.

The kick motion will be be triggered any time you've equipped shoes, although Miriam will be able to kick by default. Kicking attacks trade attack speed for diminished range.

Swords and maces are wielded with the single-handed horizontal slash motion, which is the baseline attack motion as far as speed, range, and power are concerned. Attacking with a mace also causes thrust-type damage.

Short swords and rapiers both utilize a single-handed pierce style, but each type has different range and speed. (Short swords have less range than rapiers, but players can wield them in a continuous attack with the help of some judicious button-mashing.)

Katanas alone receive the single-handed vertical slash motion. This is the animation we based on that umbrella-swinging video!

To wield larger weapons like great swords, axes, and rods, your character will use the two-handed vertical slash motion. Use it correctly and you can deal huge damage to your opponent. Axes are even slower than great swords but deal more damage, while rods are somewhat faster.

Spears receive their own two-handed pierce motion. Their long range can make the difference when engaging an enemy, but their length and slow attack speed could leave you defenseless if you miss.

And of course whips have their own motion. But... it's different! I won't say what it's different from, but it's not from THAT series. Like you might expect, it takes a while to swing a whip, but your reward is increased range.

Finally, guns use the shooting motion, giving you a projectile attack. But you'll use up a bullet each time you fire.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is due to be released on Xbox One and Windows 10 in March 2017.